Smith Stands By Keeper Decision

Dean Smith says that he stands the comments he made to referee David Phillips at half time which got him sent to the stands.

Jimmy Walker was attested to have handled the ball outside the box and Smith did not hold back with giving the ref a piece of his mind.

'I will apologise if he thought I went in with an aggressive manner but, with the comments, I`ll stand by them." He told the Express and Star

Defender Lee Beevers had to replace Jimmy Walker on 33 minutes, after fellow popular goalkeeper David Grof.

It is not the first time Smith has omitted of goalie from the 5 man bench. Bournemouth away and Brentford H Walker was unavailable, as well as recently, at Preston H and Exeter City H Walker was left as the lone goalkeeper in the squad.

Goalkeepers are sent off few and far between and it's the risk a manager must take, weighing up the possibility of a sending off/injury and the benefits of a 5 man outfield bench. So it really is subjective!

Smith also says that he is not afraid to leave a goalkeeper off the bench in the future.

So we shall see what he chooses next week!

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